“We are proud to be part of a program that encourages young students to enjoy reading, and, as a result, get a chance for a better start in life,” said Dr. Robert Lewin, CEO of 411-Pain.

The first Read and Rise book fair was held at Paul Turner Elementary in November. The remaining fairs will be held from January through the end of the 2010-11 school year.

One recent recipient was 8-year-old Nyabi, who ran home telling her grandmother, Glaudia Morgan, that her school gave her money to buy books.

“I’ve seen an improvement in Nyabi’s reading and math scores thanks to this program,” said Morgan. “Nyabi’s school held a meeting for all parents to tell us what to expect and how to encourage our children read more. Richard Garrick, the principal of Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary School explained that a gift certificate would be given to each student to purchase their own books at the school book fair.” Principal Garrick also stated that for many of the students, this was the first book they have ever owned.

Many children participating in the program could not afford to purchase books at past fairs. “Students would go home with less expensive items like erasers or bookmarks instead of books,” said Principal Garrick. “Children who struggle with reading often have a tough time in all subjects,” he added.

Despite budget cuts, Garrick is finding ways to boost reading scores and involve parents through private partnerships and special events like reading nights for parents. “Nearly 80 percent of our families are at the poverty level,” said Garrick. “Now that students are able to take home new books, reading has taken hold at our school and allowed teachers to set reading goals that further enhance the students’ learning. 1-800-411-PAIN’s support of the Read and Rise program is instrumental. “Partnerships like this make all the difference,” says Garrick. For more information on Scholastic Books’ programs, visit http://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/communityreadandrise.htm.

About 411-PAIN
411-PAIN (1-800-411-PAIN) was founded in 1995 to help those people who have been injured in a car accident. 411-PAIN started out in South Florida and is now a nationwide network of offices that can treat people when they are involved in a car accident. 411-PAIN can put people in contact with an attorney who can explain the monetary benefits they may be entitled to. 411-PAIN is also very philanthropic and likes to give back to the community that supports its business. For more information, please visit http://411pain.com.

“I have seen an improvement in Nyabi’s reading and math scores thanks to this program,” said Morgan, “at the meeting they told us what to expect and how to help our children read more. They explained a gift certificate would be given to each student for the purchase of their own books at the school book fair.”

Many of the children participating in the program have not been able to afford to buy books at the Scholastic Read and Rise Book Fairs in the past. Many of the students would go home with a less expensive eraser or bookmark instead, according to of Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary School Principal Richard Garrick.

“Nearly eighty percent of our families are at the poverty level, and some have never owned a new book before,” said Garrick. “Now since students are able to take new books home, reading has taken hold at our school. Partnerships like this make the difference.”

Children who struggle with reading often have a tough time in all subjects, he added. Despite budget cuts, Garrick is finding ways to boost reading scores and involve parents through private partnerships and special events like reading nights for parents.

He points to the 1-800-411-Pain Read and Rise Literacy Campaign as the program has made one of the biggest dents in reading readiness at his school. Sponsored by Fort Lauderdale-based1-800-411-Pain, a nationwide network of clinics that has been offering treatment for accident victims since 1997, the program also is supported by Scholastic and Clear Channel Radio.

More than twelve thousand I’ve hundred at risk students in twenty five low income schools throughout Broward and Miami-Dade County elementary schools will be given gift certificates each to purchase new books at their schools’ Scholastic Read and Rise Book Fairs.

“We are proud to be part of a program which encourages young students to enjoy reading, and, as a result, get a chance for a better start in life,” said Dr. Robert Lewin, CEO of 1-800-411-Pain.

The first Read and Rise book fair was held at Paul Turner Elementary in November. The remaining fairs will be held from January through the end of the 2010-11 school year.For more information on the program, visit www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/communityreadandrise.htm

by Ellen Crane Schulman